A test drive is a great way to sell a car, but a test race will seal the deal. Our friend Steve Saleen has a new approach to marketing his latest supercar. The 2019 Saleen Cup kicked off this weekend, and it saw the Saleen S1 make its track debut in Portland. The Saleen Cup consists of 20 new cars with identical setups. Each wears a different livery and they will do battle for 50 minutes as part of the Blancpain GT World Challenge America. The big news is that it is a very affordable way to get into racing.
Each car needs a 2-person team, which pays $42,000 per weekend for both races. So each member only has to pay $21,000 for the event, and this covers the car, safety gear, and everything else. The racers fall into 2 categories: Young Drivers are up to 28 years old, and Pro-AM drivers are 29 years or older. The top driver from each category will earn a paid seat in Saleen’s GT4 car for the 2020 season. The car they will be driving is the long-awaited Saleen S1.
- Portland International Raceway (Ore.) – July 12-14, 2019
- Watkins Glen (NY) – August 30 – Sept.1, 2019
- Road America (Wis.)– Sept. 20-22, 2019
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway (NV) – Oct 18-20, 2019
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The cup cars have a carbon fiber body over a 4130 tube frame chassis. A Saleen 2.2L engine sends 450 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque to a paddle-shift 6-speed automatic. Brakes measure 15″ front and 14″ rear, and race tires are supplied by Continental. The street-legal version also offers a six-speed manual and all modern conveniences. Considering the cost of fielding your own team, the Saleen Cup is a bargain price to get behind the wheel. If you need V8 power, we have a few Saleen S7 for sale. Click the link below and stay with us for all your Saleen news.
